Venki Ramakrishnan

Nobel Prize 2009-Press Conference KVA-08

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presenting Padma Vibhushan Award to Dr. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 31, 2010

Venki Ramakrishnan is a prominent figure in the field of structural biology, best known for his work on the structure and function of the ribosome, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009, shared with Thomas A. Steitz and Ada E. Yonath. His groundbreaking research has significantly advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanism of protein synthesis, a fundamental process in cellular biology.

Early Life and Education

Venkatraman "Venki" Ramakrishnan was born on April 1, 1952, in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. He grew up in a family with a strong emphasis on education. Ramakrishnan initially pursued physics, earning his B.Sc. in physics from Baroda University in 1971. He later shifted his focus to biology, obtaining his Ph.D. in biology from Ohio University in 1976. After completing his doctoral studies, Ramakrishnan continued his postdoctoral work at the University of California, San Diego, where he began his lifelong research into the structure of the ribosome.

Career and Research

Ramakrishnan's career has been distinguished by his contributions to the field of structural biology, particularly his work on ribosomal structure and function. After his postdoctoral fellowship, he held various academic and research positions, including at the University of Utah and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England, where he has been based since 1999.

His most notable achievement came in 2009 when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his detailed studies of the structure of the ribosome. Using X-ray crystallography, Ramakrishnan and his colleagues were able to map the position of every atom in the ribosome, revealing how it reads the genetic information in mRNA and synthesizes proteins according to this code. This work has not only deepened our understanding of a fundamental biological process but also opened new avenues for antibiotic development, as many antibiotics target bacterial ribosomes.

Awards and Honors

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Ramakrishnan has received numerous other awards and honors for his contributions to science, including the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 2010. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and has been awarded the Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine and the Heatley Medal of the British Biochemical Society, among others.

Later Career and Contributions

Beyond his research, Ramakrishnan has been an influential figure in the scientific community. He served as the President of the Royal Society from 2015 to 2020, advocating for science and research in the UK and globally. He has also been vocal about the importance of science education and the need for evidence-based policy in addressing global challenges.

Legacy

Venki Ramakrishnan's work on the ribosome has had a profound impact on the field of molecular biology, influencing not only our understanding of cellular machinery but also the development of new medical treatments. His dedication to science communication and policy further underscores his commitment to the broader implications of scientific research for society.